Great post. This sounds like a case of personal opinion being potentially more powerful than pubic opinion. Or, in other words, the law of unintended consequences for PPC.

PPC ads are a visibility tool. Use them for good ($), or use them for evil (reputation rot), but always use them for gain.

I’m heading to the trademark office to copyright the terms “reputation rot.” Keep up the great posts.

Jason

Nice Blog Post. I believe it should be open to anyone to make reviews– even if that means creating negative pay per click campaigns. The reality of it is that people depend on reviews to make their justification to buy things or go places. Since the internet is an open source- I don’t see why it is “un-fair” to advertise your own opinions. Maybe both local and national companies will eventually take their online reputation as seriously as their “brick and mortar” reputation.

Thanks,
Taylor
http://www.TaylorBarr.wordpress.com